There are three types of FSSAI approval: Basic Registration, State License and Central License. Which one you need depends mostly on turnover, and sometimes on what your business does.
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Side by side, under the rules in force from 1 April 2026
| Basic Registration | State License | Central License | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual turnover | Up to ₹1.5 crore | ₹1.5 crore to ₹50 crore | Above ₹50 crore |
| Application form | Form A | Form B | Form B |
| Issued by | Registering authority in your area | State licensing authority | Central licensing authority |
| Government fee | ₹100 a year | ₹2,000 to ₹5,000 a year | ₹7,500 a year |
| Usual time | About 7 days | 30 to 60 days | 30 to 60 days |
| Inspection | Rare before grant | Possible | Common for manufacturers |
| Validity | Lifetime | Lifetime | Lifetime |
For small food businesses: home kitchens, tiffin services, small shops, stalls, cloud kitchens and small restaurants. Since April 2026 it covers turnover up to ₹1.5 crore, so many businesses that once needed a State License now fit here.
For mid-size businesses working inside one state: manufacturers, hotels, larger restaurants, wholesalers and storage units. More on the State License.
For large businesses, and for importers, e-commerce food sellers and companies with units in more than one state. More on the Central License.
Work through these in order. Stop at the first one that matches.
New businesses with no turnover yet should use the turnover they realistically expect in the first year.
Turnover is the headline test, but FSSAI also looks at the kind of business. Manufacturers and dairies can be classed by daily production capacity. Food businesses on premises run by central agencies, such as airports, seaports and railway stations, come under central licensing. And each location is licensed separately, so a chain cannot cover ten outlets with one number.
Choosing the wrong type is the most common reason an application has to be filed again. If you are near a limit or your business does more than one thing, ask us before you apply.
Last reviewed: October 2026. Based on the FSSAI rules in force from 1 April 2026.
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